Topics - Angel

Romhacking.net and its wiki resource, Data Crystal, are in bad financial shape. To keep them going, a Patreon account has been set up and is now accepting pledges. Given that our sites have similar interests (and some degree of community overlap), I felt it worthy of mention here.

10:37:22 pm <&Elric> are those the same guys from Sw1tcher or whatever it is?10:37:30 pm -!- mode/#ffh [+ao Angel Angel] by ChanServ10:37:30 pm < Bonesy> yeah10:37:32 pm <&Angel> context?10:37:55 pm < Bonesy> i can't remember which two it was between matt pat liam and woolie though10:37:55 pm <&Elric> I've never heard of it, but someone commented on a Jot5 video a while back saying that someone from Sw1tcher recommended Jot510:37:55 pm <&Elric> Angel10:37:55 pm <&Elric> [19:31] <Bonesy> yeah i watched two best friends play do RE4's HD version but it's been a while by now10:37:55 pm -!- Channel #ffh created Sat Oct 1 08:18:10 201610:37:59 pm -!- Irssi: Join to #ffh was synced in 51 secs10:38:10 pm -!- Xifanie [Goddess@Love-and-Devotion.ffhacktics.com] has joined #ffh10:38:11 pm -!- mode/#ffh [+qo Xifanie Xifanie] by ChanServ10:38:18 pm < Bonesy> i might play some fft tonight but otoh i could play more dissidia10:38:18 pm <&Elric> Nocturne is longer, but im obsessed with Resident Evil10:38:23 pm <&Elric> so i will be biased in my opinion10:38:26 pm < Bonesy> lol10:38:27 pm < Bonesy> ok10:38:54 pm <&Angel> Nocturne is a good game with LOTS of replayability, but the US version is hard as fuck10:38:58 pm <&Elric> Pat was the one who recommended Jot510:39:24 pm <&Elric> really? I only ever had trouble on the last Dante fight, but thats cuz i was underleveled10:39:43 pm <&Angel> yeah, getting Dante is what makes it hard10:39:54 pm <&Angel> and fuck the hell off if you think I'm not getting Dante

I've done a fair bit of testing of ePSXe 2.0, and provided you stick to the packed in plugins (or optionally, GPU BladeSoft), I can't fault it as heavily for the purposes of playing FFT as I used to. The default video plugin is slow, but lovely on capable machines. BladeSoft is also progressing nicely, and brilliant to use if (currently) you like native console display resolution, but better. The hacked Pete's plugin is much faster than the former two, but don't look at me if you have visual issues (I can still make it break in each Final Fantasy).

I haven't tested each and every ASM or patch known as working elsewhere, but ePSXe 2.0 has surprised me in general. It's still very much discouraged for testing ASM, but I won't fault anyone using it for just wanting to play the game or the mods offered here. I've done a lot of testing not just with FFT, but with 200~ other PlayStation games since its release, and I can only recommend Mednafen or PCSX-R over it on the grounds of utmost accuracy at the core; the visual result is currently superior on ePSXe, and I can't break it as easily as I used to. In the realm of ASM, Mednafen still reigns supreme, and PCSX-R still holds a higher seat, but I'm done dissing ePSXe as long as you're on 2.0 or above. It really did improve that much in the last release.

tl;dr - ePSXe is no longer a naughty word here as long as it's version 2.0 or greater.

Since we've got people thinking about their favorite RPGs recently, I decided to turn that around and head in the opposite direction - what are the worst RPGs you've played? They need not be downright awful (though it will be more interesting if they are), just whatever rubbed you the wrong way.

I haven't played any truly terrible RPGs, myself, which is really what has me curious. My worst experiences are mainly from games that just don't stand the test of time for my tastes. But, to get the ball rolling...

Final Fantasy II (not to be confused with FFIV)Being an NES RPG, the story was never going to be what really carried this game - because the gameplay is what mattered most at the time - and the gameplay was laughably atrocious. Playing this game is about as fun as beating yourself in the face, which is aptly the best method of leveling your team's stats. It's all just broken and stupid. But I'm sure none of this news to you, so let's move on.

Dragon Quest (you probably remember it as Dragon Warrior)Another drudgery in the gameplay department, the grandfather of JRPGs has you opening menus to perform any task, even to simply walk up stairs. To call the gameplay 'clunky' would be overly diplomatic, especially when the accuracy of your attacks feels like a game of roulette. Get your eyes checked, dude.

Final Fantasy: Mystic QuestThere was a time when it was part of gamer culture to hate on this game like it kicked your dog, and I've since seen a fair amount of love for this game from people who genuinely played it when it first came out. Considering I had already played not only FFIV but FFVI before getting to this game, I am most certainly not in the latter camp. I've heard the music be defended as catchy and memorable, but I've played through this miserable thing multiple times and can't recall a single tune. All I ever remember is feeling cheated by a nothing game wearing a pretty title, like that time I brought home Mario is Missing. Only worse.

I'll neglect to mention Quest 64 to any great extent, except to mention that I found it more memorable than Mystic Quest. I mean, I can still hear that wretched little battle theme in my head, at least.

Update: PGXP has desperately obsoleted this compatibility list. So many improvements, it's astonishing. Check it out.

In case anybody happens to care in any capacity, this is my experience in using the 'improved GTE accuracy' checkbox in the OpenGL2 plugin setup.

If 'no improvement' is stated, it doesn't necessarily mean that it behaves exactly the same as with the option turned off, just that the jitter is still everywhere and perceptibly still just as bad as leaving it off.

title

improved?

notes

Ace Combat

improvement

Minor jitter here and there.

Ace Combat 2

improvement

Most objects do not jitter.

Ace Combat 3

improvement

Most objects do not jitter.

Ape Escape

small improvement

characters do not jitter, much of the environment does.

Armored Core

improvement

Very little jitter, but the model resolution changes are insurmountable.

Armored Core: Project Phantasma

improvement

Jitter is lessened.

Armored Core: Master of Arena

improvement

Jitter is lessened, moreso than Phantasma.

Battle Arena Toshinden

improvement

Environment jitter is nearly completely gone, small jitters on character models.

Battle Arena Toshinden 2

improvement

Jitter is further reduced than BAT1.

Battle Arena Toshinden 3

improvement

About on par with BAT2.

Bloody Roar

big improvement

No jitter, looks like a Dreamcast game.

Bloody Roar II

big improvement

See above.

Brave Fencer Musashi

big improvement

Almost no jitter whatsoever.

Breath of Fire III

improvement

No jitter at all, but sprites constantly distort.

Breath of Fire IV

improvement

Not much jitter, but a bit of object priority flicker and LOTS of sprite distortions.

Bubsy 3D

big improvement

No jitter at all, just bad animation.

Bushido Blade

improvement

All objects still jitter, but over much smaller distances.

Bushido Blade 2

improvement

See above.

Chrono Cross

small improvement

Environments don't jitter, character models do.

Clock Tower

no improvement

...

Clock Tower II

small improvement

A little less jitter, but character models still go all over the place.

Cool Boarders

small improvement

Sometimes a little jittery, sometimes really jittery.

Cool Boarders 2

small improvement

A little less jitter, but still lots of distortion and flicker.

Cool Boarders 3

improvement

Character models jitter a bit, environments less so.

Cool Boarders 4

improvement

Same as CB3.

Cool Boarders 2001

improvement

Same as CB3, but a little better overall.

Crash Bandicoot

big improvement

Almost no jitter whatsoever.

Crash Bandicoot 2

big improvement

About as good as Crash 1, but with a few random jittery objects.

Crash Bandicoot 3

improvement

Not as good as the first two Crash games, has flicker problems.

CyberSled

improvement

Jitter is only noticeable on stage previews.

CyberSpeed

improvement

Some scenes have no jitter, others have mild jitter.

Dead or Alive

big improvement

No character model jitter, floor looks a little odd.

Destrega

improvement

Very little jitter or distortion.

Destruction Derby

improvement

Very little jitter, minor distortion.

Destruction Derby 2

improvement

Very little jitter, no jitter at all when fish eye lens effect is in use.

Divide: Enemies Within

small improvement

Jitter is lessened on the environment, but not character models.

Dragon Ball GT Final Bout

small improvement

Jitter is lessened a bit, but still lots of object priority flicker.

Dragon Ball Z UB22

big improvement

No background jitter or distorted sprites on this otherwise terrible game.

Dragon Warrior VII

big improvement

Almost no jitter, most things look smooth as silk.

Driver

improvement

Less jitter, still distortion.

Driver 2

small improvement

Definitely not as smooth as the first game.

Dynasty Warriors

big improvement

Almost no jitter whatsoever.

Ehrgeiz

big improvement

No jitter at all, looks like a Dreamcast game.

Einhander

big improvement

Almost no jitter at all.

Elemental Gearbolt

improvement

Much less jitter than on console.

Eternal Eyes

improvement

No jitter from environment objects, but sprites scale awkwardly.

Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition

improvement

Less jitter on characters, backgrounds distort oddly.

Fighter Maker

big improvement

Very little jitter, very little flicker.

Final Fantasy VII

small improvement

Jitter is lessened slightly in some areas, no change on others.

Final Fantasy VIII

small improvement

Jitter is lessened slightly, animation accounts for the worst of it.

Final Fantasy IX

small improvement

Jitter is lessened, but still lots of distortion.

Final Fantasy Tactics

no improvement

...

G Darius

big improvement

No jitter except during special animations.

Gran Turismo

improvement

Jitter is lessened, but not at all times.

Gran Turismo 2

improvement

Pretty much the same as GT1.

Grandia

no improvement

Jitter actually looks -worse-.

Granstream Saga

big improvement

almost no jitter whatsoever.

Hoshigami

big improvement

No jitter apparent anywhere.

Hydro Thunder

small improvement

Not much jitter, but models change dynamically, which makes it rather pointless.

I.Q.

big improvement

Only jitter is on the too tiny player character.

Jet Moto

improvement

Less jitter on 3D objects, more jitter on 2D objects.

Jet Moto 2

improvement

See above.

Jet Moto 3

improvement

Not much jitter left, but the frame rate is so low that it can't be appreciated.

Jumping Flash!

improvement

No jitter to be found, but all 2D graphics are warped.

Jumping Flash! 2

improvement

Jitter is reduced, but flicker is worse and distortion is still pretty bad.

Kagero

no improvement

...

Klonoa

big improvement

3D objects have almost no jitter, 2D objects can still jitter a bit.

Koudelka

improvement

Jitter is reduced greatly, with only a bit of shimmer remaining on character models.

Legend of Dragoon

no improvement

...

Legend of Legaia

big improvement

Very little jittering overall.

LSD

small improvement

Not much jitter, LOTS of distortion.

Mega Man Legends

small improvement

Not much jitter, but lots of distortion.

Mega Man Legends 2

small improvement

See above.

Metal Gear Solid

no improvement

...

Mortal Kombat 4

big improvement

Practically no jitter anywhere, just not fun to play, personally.

Need for Speed

no improvement

...

Need for Speed II

small improvement

Jitter is reduced on some objects, but not all.

Need for Speed III

improvement

Most jitter is greatly reduced, just bad distortion everywhere and more noticeable jitter on car models.

Need for Speed: High Stakes

improvement

Jitter is greatly reduced on nearly all objects.

Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed

improvement

Jitter is reduced on most objects, but distortion is very bad.

Need for Speed V-Rally

small improvement

Jitter is reduced a bit, but lots of flicker.

Need for Speed V-Rally 2

small improvement

A bit better than V-Rally, but same issues.

Omega Boost

big improvement

Jitter greatly reduced everywhere.

Parasite Eve

small improvement

Jitter is reduced, but still not that great.

Parasite Eve 2

doesn't run

...

Persona

improvement

Jitter isn't apparent, but the low framerate makes it difficult to tell.

Today, a federal appeals court handed over control of free speech on the Internet to a handful of companies. This is why it matters.

Say you’re an NRA Republican. You’re from Tennessee. The websites you go to on a daily basis are Yahoo for your email and news, ESPN for your sports, and TNGunOwners.com, a message board to talk about your day at the range. What if one day your access to your email is fine, your Tim Tebow coverage from ESPN is as loud as ever, and TNGunOwners.com inexplicably took 4-to-6 times longer to load? What if you called your Internet service provider and their answer was, “That’s just the way it is now”?

Say you’re a Whole Foods-pillagin’ Democrat. You’re from Portland. You go to GMail for your email, MSNBC for your news, Reddit for your cat videos, and an indie music blog like Said The Gramophone to find your music. One day, your access to Gmail is fine, your Rachel Maddow clips are coming in clear as day, and that YouTube video of a cat taking a bath on Reddit is rolling along smoothly. But it takes so long to load one song from that indie music blog you just turn on the radio.

Say you’re entirely apolitical. It doesn’t matter where you live. You’re struggling with depression because it’s hard to cope with your mother’s recently diagnosed cancer. You go to cancerforums.net. You go to takethislife.com for help, when you can’t read the cancer forum anymore. One day, those sites take ten times longer to load than they did before. What if you called your Internet service provider and their answer was, “Verizon now throttles bandwidth to websites from the non-Premium Tier. Would you like to upgrade?”

A federal appeals court ruled that the FCC can no longer enforce which websites Verizon and all other broadband providers can favor, limit access to, or outright block — even if it’s to prop up a service or website of their own. This is not a binary political issue. It is not a Republican or Democrat issue. This is naked corporate greed. It is a bunch of companies who want to control the largest free information platform in the world. There is nothing good that an individual can derive from this decision. Nothing.

Before someone tells you otherwise, Internet service providers’ backs were not against the wall in any way. “Bandwidth congestion” is not real. It costs just as much money, if not more money, to cap the data flowing through your broadband connection as it does to serve it to you. Data caps are solely a money-making construct. Average connection speeds in South Korea are twice as fast as those in the United States. That gap will grow even wider now. This ruling is anti-competitive for American business on a global level.

Tech giants Google, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Yahoo have come out against rulings like this in the past. Instead, the decision favors companies with access to pipelines, like Comcast. It will help them use the Internet as a marketing tool for its other ventures, like NBC Universal.

The very best scenario a consumer can hope for is this: Companies will start offering “unlimited” Internet plans to access the Internet you currently see today. The Web will be partitioned off into sections, like cable tiers, and those ISPs will offer speedier connections to certain kinds of websites if you buy into each tier.

The very worst a consumer can expect is that some information will be deemed too unsavory for public consumption, while select corporate messages can be blasted to your home at lightning speed. This is not a political story. This is corporate greed at its most blatant and obvious.

TL;DR - US ISPs can screw over customers and domains alike however they see fit.

Zareb's Tournament Patch has been released, as a full version 1.0. It's a complete overhaul of... well, everything, really. There's an awful lot of work that has gone into this project, and is definitely worth a look. Just don't be too intimidated by the very thorough master guide!

Edit: since the content was all deleted, there isn't much point to link to a board that doesn't exist anymore. >>;

After being frustrated with the horrible netsplits, humongous lag, and routing issues with Esper, we decided it was time to just get our own IRC server. So do please join us at irc.ffhacktics.com - still on #ffh as always. All of the chat links on the home page as well as the top of the forums now redirect to this new server.

Staff will remain on Esper until everyone has migrated, so no worries.

Edit: This will pretty much never get done while working within the means of FFT. Closing.

Celdie and Eternal have known about my ambitions for this project for quite a while, and more recently, I've started bouncing ideas around IRC now that I actually have the means to get something done on it. Right now, I'm keeping things relatively simple. Not much in the way of event editing, as I'm more focused on ground work. Story and events can come about much later. Particularly since I have only a loose grasp on what the story could be if I ever got around to it.

First order of business: sprites and classes. After inquiring a bit, fdc has helped some with establishing the feasibility of some of my loftier goals for mechanics. All sprites will be monster types, simply for the sake of having greater control over the visual style I'm going for. And it's Castlevania - nobody needs to enter water anyway.

Current roster of player characters: Simon, Trevor, Grant, Sypha, Alucard, Richter, Maria, Nathan, Juste, Sonia, Soma, Yoko, Jonathan, Charlotte, Shanoa, aaaand Albus. However, I've been informed that I would be foolish to neglect the great Julius Belmont. My issue with including Julius is that... well, look at all the whip-bearers on that roster already. As things are right now, Simon and Trevor have a sort of Ryu and Ken thing going on where they have similar abilities with a few differences here and there. Richter is all item crush, so he'll hit very hard a couple times per battle and be all out of MP hearts. Nathan will have his full card system (with a few tweaks here and there simply for the sake of sanity), while Juste has his own unique items and abilities. Sonia will be a little bit more magic-focused, with her whip really just being there for backup. Jonathan will hit harder than any of the Belmonts, but each swing of his whip will cost him some of his own HP. Not really much I can do with Julius to set him apart, but I would like some input.

As far as player characters are concerned, is there anybody you'd really like to see that I'm cold-heartedly neglecting? Anybody you would outright veto?

I thought that in going with the Ryu/Ken analogy, Julius could follow that right along as Akuma, but that's more or less already filled by Richter. Eternal suggested I run with the martial arts thing he had going in CVHD. I considered just making him a periodic guest. Really, I'd just like to gauge how much people would hate me for not including him over someone above. And yes, I realize Albus is an awkward choice, but I have my reasons.

I've been drawing the portraits vaguely similar to Ayumi Kojima's art from the series, though I'm trying to make characters look a bit more distinguished from one another than she tends to. Sprites have a long way to go.

Once the player character data is usable enough, I'll do just enough event/map editing to make the game playable. Someday, I would like to physically alter the maps and give it a unique story and progression, but I do realize the likelihood of my falling away long before such a task would be completed. I don't think I'm being unrealistic with my goals for the player characters, though.

Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Twin for being awesome. He not only helped me recover my Etna avatar, but made it far prettier than I ever did.